But he went out and looked about. He saw nothing indicative. The porch was pleasant and in neat order. A knitting-bag and a much be-thumbed novel were evidently the property of the cook or waitress, and an old cap on a nail was, doubtless, the butlers.
He took pains to ascertain that there was no path or road that led down to the gate but the path that also went from the front door, and which he had been on when Betty returned to the house.
He had seen her enter the house, had seen her father go in a few moments later, now where was the girl?
Back to the kitchen Landon went, and in the middle of the floor, he noticed a yellow cushion. It was a satin covered, embroidered affair, probably, he thought, a sofa cushion, or hammock pillow, but it seemed too elaborate for a servants cushion. Surely it belonged to the family.
The kitchen was in tidy order, save for a tray of used glasses and empty plates which was on a table.
Landon picked up the pillow, and then, on second thoughts, laid it back where he had found it. It might be evidence.
An open door showed the cellar stairs. Conquering a strong disinclination, Landon went down. The cellar was large, and seemed to have various rooms and bins, and some locked cupboards. But there was nothing sinister, the rooms were for the most part fairly light, and the air was good.
Remembering that Doctor Varian had already searched down there for Betty, Landon merely went over the same ground, and returned with the news of his unsuccessful search.
No way out? queried the doctor, briefly.
None, except by passing the very spot where we all were when Betty ran back to the house.
Where is she, Landon?
The two men stared at each other, both absolutely at a loss to answer the question.
Well, and Varian pulled himself together, this wont do. Its a case for the police, how shall we get at them?
I dont know anything about the police, but if you telephone the inn or the clubhouse theyll tell you. The local doctor is Merritt, I know him. But he couldnt do anything. Why call him when youre here?
Its customary, I think. You call Merritt, will you, and then Ill speak to the innkeeper.
The telephoning was just about completed, when a fearful scream from upstairs announced the fact that Minna Varian had awakened from her opiate sleep and had returned to a realization of her troubles.
Slowly Doctor Varian rose and went up the stairs.
He entered the bedroom to find Minna sitting up in bed, wild-eyed and struggling to get up, while Janet urged her to lie still.
Lie still! she screamed, I will not. Come here, Herbert. Tell me, where is my child? Why is Betty not here? Is she dead, too? Tell me, I say!
Yes, Minna, Varian returned, quietly, I will tell you all I can. I do not know where Betty is, but weve no reason to think she is dead
Then why doesnt she come to me? Why doesnt Fred come? Oh, Fred is dead, isnt he?
And then the poor woman went into violent hysterics, now shrieking like a maniac and now moaning piteously, like some hurt animal.
The first thing to do, said Doctor Varian, decidedly, is to get a nurse for Minna.
And then the poor woman went into violent hysterics, now shrieking like a maniac and now moaning piteously, like some hurt animal.
The first thing to do, said Doctor Varian, decidedly, is to get a nurse for Minna.
No, demurred his wife, not tonight, anyway. Ill take care of her, and there will be some maid servant who can help me. There was a nice looking waitress among those who went off this afternoon.
The servants will surely return as soon as they hear the news, Varian said, and then he gave all his attention to calming his patient.
Again he placed her under the influence of a powerful opiate, and by the time she was unconscious, the local doctor had come.
Varian went down to find Doctor Merritt examining the body of his brother.
The two medical men met courteously, the local doctor assuming an important air, principally because he considered the other his superior.
Terrible thing, Doctor Varian, Merritt said; death practically instantaneous.
Practically, returned the other. May have lived a few moments, but unconscious at once. You know the sheriff?
Yes; Potter. Hell be along soon. Hes a shrewd one, but, my heavens! Who did this thing?
Doctor Merritts formality gave way before his irrepressible curiosity. He looked from Doctor Varian to Ted Landon and back again, with an exasperated air of resentment at being told so little.
We dont know, Doctor Merritt, Landon said, as the other doctor said nothing. Weve no idea.
No idea! A man shot and killed in this lonely, isolated house and you dont know who did it? What do you mean?
In a few words Varian detailed the circumstances, and added, We dont know where Miss Varian is.
Disappeared! Then she must have shot her father
Oh, no! interrupted Landon, dont say such an absurd thing!
What else is there to say? demanded Merritt. You say there was nobody in the house but those two people. Now, one is here dead, and the other is missing. What else can be said?
Dont accuse a defenseless girl, advised Varian. Betty must be found, of course. But I dont for a minute believe she shot her father.
Wheres the gun? asked Doctor Merritt.
Hasnt been found, returned Varian, briefly. Mrs Varian, my brothers wife, is hysterical. Ive been obliged to quiet her by opiates. Doctor Merritt, this is by no means a simple case. I hope your sheriff is a man of brains and experience. Its going to call for wise and competent handling.
Potter is experienced enough. Been sheriff for years. But as to brains, he isnt overburdened with them. Still, hes got good horse sense.
One of the best things to have, commented Varian. Now, I dont know that we need keep Mr Landon here any longer. What do you think?
I dont know, said Merritt, thoughtfully. He was here at the time of the crime?
Yes; but so were several others, and theyve gone away. As you like, Mr Landon, but I dont think you need stay unless you wish.
I do wish, Ted Landon said. I may be of use, somehow, and, too, Im deeply interested. I want to see what the sheriff thinks about it, and, too, I want to try to find or help to find Miss Betty.
Betty must be found, said Varian, as if suddenly reminded of the fact. I am so distracted between the shock of my brothers death and the anxiety regarding his wifes condition, that for the moment I almost forgot Betty. That child must be hiding somewhere. She must have been frightened in some fearful way, and either fainted or run away and hid out in the grounds somewhere. Im positive she isnt in the house.
She couldnt have gone out the back door, said Landon. It was locked when I went to it.
She couldnt have gone out at the front door or we should have seen her, Varian added, She stepped out of a window, then.
Are you assuming some intruder? asked Merritt, wonderingly.
Im not assuming anything, returned Varian, a little crisply, for his nerves were on edge. But Betty Varian must be found, my duty is to the living as well as to the dead.
He glanced at his brothers body, and his face expressed a mute promise to care for that brothers child.
But how are you going to find her? asked Landon. We saw Miss Varian enter this house
Therefore, she is still in it, or in the grounds, said Varian, positively. It cant be otherwise. I shall hunt out of doors first, before it grows dusk. Then we can hunt the house afterward.
You have hunted the house.
Yes; but it must be hunted more thoroughly. Why, Betty, or Bettys body must be somewhere. And must be found.
Doctor Merritt listened, dumfounded. Here was mystery indeed. Mr Varian dead, shot, no weapon found, and his daughter missing.
What could be the explanation?
The hunt out of doors for Betty resulted in nothing at all. There was no kitchen garden, merely a drying plot and a small patch of back yard, mostly stones and hard ground. This was surrounded by dwarfed and stunted pine trees, which not only afforded no hiding place, but shut off no possible nook or cranny where Betty could be hidden. The whole tableland was exposed to view from all parts of it, and it was clear to be seen that Betty Varian could not be hiding out of doors.
And since she could not have left the premises, save by the road where the picnic party was congregated, there was no supposition but that she was still in the house.
Can you form any theory, Doctor Varian? Landon asked him.
No, I cant. Can you?
Only the obvious one, that Miss Varian killed her father and then hid somewhere.
But where? Mind you, I dont for a moment admit she killed her father, thats too ridiculous! But whoever killed him, may also have killed her. It is her body I think we are more likely to find.
How, then, did the assassin get away?
I dont know. Im not prepared to say theres no way out of this place
But I know that to be the fact. There comes the sheriff, Doctor Varian. Thats Potter.
They went into the house again, and found the sheriff and another man with him.
Merritt made the necessary introductions, and Doctor Varian looked at Potter.
The strangest case youve ever had, he informed him, and the most important. How do you propose to handle it?
Like I do all the others, by using my head.
Yes, I know, but I mean what help do you expect to have?
Dunnos Ill need any yet. Havent got the principal facts. Dead mans your brother, aint he?
Yes.
Shot dead and no weapon around. Criminal unknown. Now, about this young lady, the daughter. Where is she?
I dont know, but I hope you can find her.
And then Doctor Varian told, in his straightforward way, of his search for the girl.
Mighty curious, vouchsafed the sheriff, with an air of one stating a new idea. The girl and her father on good terms?
Yes, of course, Varian answered, but his slight hesitation made the sheriff eye him keenly.
We want the truth, you know, he said, thoughtfully. If them two wasnt on good terms, you might as well say so, cause itll come out sooner or later.
But they were, so far as I know.
Oh, well, all right. I cant think yet, the girl shot her father. I wont think that, lessen I have to. But, good land, man, you say youve looked all over the house, wheres the murderer, then?
Oh, well, all right. I cant think yet, the girl shot her father. I wont think that, lessen I have to. But, good land, man, you say youve looked all over the house, wheres the murderer, then?